autocracy

noun

au·​toc·​ra·​cy ȯ-ˈtä-krə-sē 

plural autocracies

1

: the authority or rule of an autocrat

2

: government in which one person possesses unlimited power

3

: a community or state governed by autocracy

Synonyms

• absolutism
• autarchy
• authoritarianism
• Caesarism
• czarism
• tsarism
• tzarism
• despotism
• dictatorship
• totalism
• totalitarianism
• tyranny

Examples of autocracy in a Sentence

the Magna Carta is historically important because it signified the British rejection of autocracy and constituted the first formal restraining of the power of the monarch

Recent Examples on the Web

If Hungary was an autocracy, then why were its critics still allowed to sit in the middle of the capital and say so? —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

As the Eurasian balance tilts toward the autocracies, the risks to U.S. defense commitments continue to rise. —Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025

But as Trump rages, and aligns the United States with Russia and other autocracies, Ukraine and Europe can’t count on continuing American support. —David Axe, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

His lawyer, by the way, is there in an unofficial capacity since apparently detainees of the commission are not entitled to legal counsel — a sign of just how close to full-on autocracy this government has become. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "self-control," borrowed from Greek autokrateîa "self-control, power over oneself," from autokratḗs "ruling by itself (of a mind), with sole authority (for a task)" + -ia -y entry 2 — more at autocrat

Note: The word acquired the present meaning under the influence of Latin autocratōr (from about the fifth century on) and Greek autokrátōr, meaning "with sole authority," and later by association with autocrat. See note at autocrat.

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for autocracy

• bureaucracy
• democracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• theocracy
• aristocracy
• meritocracy

Kids Definition

autocracy

noun

au·​toc·​ra·​cy ȯ-ˈtäk-rə-sē 

plural autocracies

: government in which one person has unlimited power